ICOMOS Korea urges joint impact assessment for high-rise project facing Jongmyo Shrine

Heritage experts in Korea on Monday urged the Seoul city government to undergo a Heritage Impact Assessment for a contentious redevelopment project near Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, warning that unchecked construction could threaten the area's historical integrity. The Korean National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS Korea) also proposed a joint review involving the Seoul metropolitan government, the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), and independent experts to examine the effects of redeveloping the Sewun District 4 area and explore alternative plans. Last month, the Seoul city government approved raising the building height limit in the area to 145 meters — more than double the previous cap — directly across from the shrine. The decision has ignited a standoff between local and central authorities. The central government argues that ultra-high-rise buildings would diminish the shrine's historical landscape, while the city contends the project would improve the surroundings by introducing a broad green space rather than harming the vWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times